High voltage switch arrangement

ABSTRACT

A high voltage disconnect switch comprising an electrically conductive switch blade and ratchet mechanism to open and close the switch by moving the blade linearly. The ratchet mechanism comprises an actuating lever attached to a ratchet mechanism capable of moving the switch blade in either linear direction when the actuating lever is ratcheted by a hook stick. A direction selecting arm permits selection of the direction of movement of the switch blade when the actuating lever is ratcheted. The direction selecting arm is connected to cams which selectively engage one of two oppositely directed pawls in the ratchet mechanism. The pawls drive a drive gear that engage apertures in the switch blade. The switch blade can also be moved manually in the selected direction without using the ratchet means by hooking a hook ring on the switch blade with a hook stick. The ratchet mechanism also prevents accidental movement of the switch blade in the nonselected direction.

[4 1 Dec. 17, 1974 United States Patent 1 Bernatt et al.

HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH ARRANGEMENT Inventors: Joseph Bernatt, Arlington Heights;

[57] ABSTRACT A high voltage disconnect switch comprising an elec- Edward J. Rogers, Chicago, both of ill.

[73] Assignee: S & C Electric Company, Chicago,

Ill.

ing lever attached to a ratchet mechanism capable of moving the switch blade in either linear direction [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1973 [21] AppL NOJ 423,545 when the actuating leverv is ratcheted by a hook stick. 1

A direction selecting arm permits selection of the direction of movement of the switch blade when the ac- [52] U.S. Cl. 200/48 R, ZOO/[63 mating lever is ratcheted The direction Selecting arm [5]] Int. Cl. HOlh l/44 i connected to cams which se|ective|y engage one of [58] Field of Search.......... ZOO/48 R, 153 H, 153 L, two oppositdy directed pawls i the ramhet h 200/153 P, 153 PA, 153 R, 163

nism. The pawls drive a drive gear that engage apertures in the switch blade. The switch blade can also be moved manually in the selected direction without using the ratchet means by hooking a hook ring on the switch blade with a hook stick. The ratchet mecha- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gratzmuller ZOO/48 R oo 3 R nism also prevents accidental movement of the switch blade in the nonselected direction.

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SHEET R BF 5 PATENTEI] DESI 71974 snmsnre PATENTEB BEE I 7 I974 SHEET 6 BF 6 HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to high voltage disconnect switches and an operating mechanism for opening and closing disconnect switches and more particularly to a linear motion high voltage disconnect switch having a reversible direction selectable ratchet mechanism for operating the disconnect switch.

2. Description of the Prior Art A variety of high voltage disconnect switches are known in the prior art. However, none of the comercially available disconnect switches utilize a direction selectable ratchet mechanism disconnect switches utilize a direction selectable ratchet mechanism that permits simple hook stick operation. Moreover, none of the prior art disconnect switch blades embody sufficient versatility to allow flexible installation as either a disconnect switch or as a by-pass switch for circuit interrupters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A high voltage electrical switch arrangement in accordance with the present invention comprises a remote electrical contact connected to one portion of an electrical circuit such as a high voltage power circuit. An electrically conductive switch blade for engaging the remote electrical contact is carried by an actuating means connected to another portion of the circuit. The actuating means is adapted to move the switch blade in a linear direction to cause the switch blade to engage and disengage the remote contact in response to ratchet operation of the actuating means. The actuating means also includes direction selecting means for selecting the direction of movement of the switch blade when the actuating means is ratcheted.

The direction selecting means is adapted to prevent movement of the switch blade in any other direction except the direction selected, but to permit the switch blade to be manually moved in the selected direction without the necessity of operating the actuating mechanism.

Also, contact means are provided to assure reliable electrical connection and to prevent generation of radio interference voltage.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a high voltage switch arrangement that is opened and closed by the linear movement of an electrically conductive switch blade.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a high voltage switch arrangement that is controlled by an actuating mechanism comprising a drive mechanism and a direction selecting mechanism.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a high voltage switch arrangement having a direction selectable actuating mechanism for the linear movement of an electrically conductive switch blade which serves as a lock to prevent accidental movement of the switch blade in an unselected direction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high voltage drive mechanism that can be bypassed to move the switch blade in the direction chosen by the direction selecting mechanism by manually pushing or pulling the blade with a hook stick.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a high voltage linear motion disconnect switch arrangement that can be operated manually by a hook stick to first, select the desired direction of movement of an electrically conductive switch blade and, second, to operate an actuating mechanism which moves the switch blade in the selected direction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a high voltage disconnect switch arrangement that contains suitable contacts to provide a secure electrical connection when the switch is closed, and also to secure the blade when the switch blade is in the fully open position to prevent the generation of radio interference voltage.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide a high voltage disconnect switch which can be used in a variety of applications such as a bus disconnect or as a bypass switch for a circuit interrupter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front partially fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary, cross-sectional side view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a rear partially fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with the back plate of the housing removed.

FIG. 4 is a partially fragmentary view of the drive lever assembly of the actuating mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the drive lever assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the electrical contact assembly of the present invention showing the switch blade in contact with the actuating mechanism housing when the blade is in the fully open position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of the present invention showing the contact assembly shown in FIG. 6 connected to a mating contact when the blade is in the fully closed position. v

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating one possible use of the present invention as a bypass switch connected in parallel with a circuit interrupter.

FIG. 9 is a top fragmentary view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

'FIG. 10 illustrates the use of the present invention as a bus disconnect with the switch blade in the fully open position.

FIG. 11 illustrates the configuration shown in FIG. 9 with the switch blade in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention. The actuating mechanism 1 comprises housing 10 which includes main housing unit 12 which forms the top and bottom walls 11, front wall 13, and a flange portion 15 of the back of the housing unit 12, and back plate 14 which overlaps and is attached to main housing unit 12. The housing 10 contains threaded holes 16 which are suitable for receiving bolts 20 (see FIG. 2) to attach mounting bracket 18 to the housing 10. The mounting bracket 18 contains other suitable fastening means at the opposite end such as bolts 22 for securing the mounting bracket 18 and housing 10 to a suitable support. Any other suitable fastening means could be utilized to secure actuating mechanism 1 to a support structure. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11, the actuating mechanism must be mounted so the electrically conductive switch blade is in linear alignment with a circuit closing contact.

Mounted at each end of the housing 10 are a pair of rollers, 32 and 34, which are rotatably fastened to the front and back of the housing 10. As illustrated in the drawings, upper roller 32 and lower roller 34 are positioned to guide square switch blade 36 through the housing 10 with a minimum amount of friction and nonlinear motion. Switch blades of other crosssectional shapes can be used, so long as suitable guide means are provided to steer the blade through the actuating mechanism with a minimum amount of friction.

Particularly, if a switch blade having a circular cross section is used, suitable means must be provided to prevent rotation of the blade about its center axis during linear movement. Housing 10 also contains suitable means such as holes 24 for mounting appropriate high presure contacts (shown in FIG. 6) to engage electrical contacts at either end of blade 36 when the blade is in the fully opened or fully closed positions.

In the front wall 13 of housing 10 is located a circular aperture for receiving a bushing 50. Bushing 50 supports bearing 52 which in turn supports hollow drive shaft 54 which is hexagonal in cross section. The portion of drive shaft 54 extending outside housing 10 is attached to an actuating lever 56. Actuating lever 56 contains hook stick engaging means such as hole 58 which is suitably adapted to receive the end of a hook stick for ratcheting actuating lever 58.

Drive shaft 54 extends inside housing 10 approximately half way toward back plate 14. Mounted to the drive shaft 54 is drive lever 60. Mounted on the distal end of drive lever 60 is a shouldered shaft 68. Attached to the opposite end of shouldered shaft 68 are oppositely directed first and second drive pawls 62 and 64 which are diametrically opposed to one another. Tension spring 66 is connected to drive pawls 62 and 64 and tend to bias drive pawls 62 and 64 toward one another. One end of a return spring 70 is attached to the housing 10 by bolt 72, and the other end of return spring 70 is attached to shouldered shaft 68. Thus, the drive shaft is normally biased to return to the position shown in FIG. 1 by the tension of return spring 70.

Positioned inside and concentric with hollow drive shaft 54 is idler shaft 90. Idler shaft 90 is supported at back plate 14 by bushing 94 and washer 96 and is also supported by sleeve bearings 92 so that idler shaft 90 can freely rotate within hollow drive shaft 54. Attached to one end of idler shaft 90 externally of the housing 10 is direction indicating shift lever 98. As shown in FIG. 1, the shift lever 98 is appropriately designed to indicate the direction in which the switch blade 36 will move when actuating lever 56 is ratcheted back and forth. In addition, the shift lever 98 contains hook stick engaging means such as hole 100 so that a hook stick can be attached to shift lever 98 to move the shift lever 98 to the selected position. With the shift lever 98 pointing to the right as in FIG. 1, the switch blade 36 will move in that direction upon reciprocating movement of the actuating lever 56. The end of shift lever 98 is formed into the shape of an arrow and may be coated with a visible coating so that the operator can easily determine the selected direction.

Inside housing 10, first and second directional cams I10 and 112 are mounted on the end of idler shaft 90 so that cams and 112 rotate with idler shaft 90. Cams 110 and 112 are separated by spacer and secured together so that they rotate as a unit with idler shaft 90. The directional cam 110 closest to back plate 14 contains a semi-circular cut-out portion 114 (see FIG. 3) which extends through a [80 arc, around the center of the cam 110. An appropriate limit stop 115 is attached to back plate 14 and extends through cutout portion 114 in cam 110. This stop limits movement of the cams 110 and 112 and shift lever 98 to an arc of 180. Bolted to back plate 14 by bolts 118 is drag leaf spring 116 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1) which rests tightly against cam 110. This spring has sufficient tension so as to prevent directional cams 110 and 112 from rotating as actuating lever 56 is rotated. Cams 110 and 112 are irregularly shaped having reduced diameter surfaces around a portion of their circumference. The peripheral surface of cam 110 engages the edge of drive pawl 62 and the peripheral surface of cam 112 engages the edge of drive pawl 64 so that either pawl 62 or pawl 64 will pivot to engage teeth 121 on drive cam 122 when the reduced diameter surface of either cam 110 or cam 112 respectively is positioned adjacent to the respective drive pawl. For example, in FIG. 3, cam 110 is positioned so that drive pawl 62 is allowed to pivot to engage teeth 121 and cam 112 is positioned to raise drive pawl 64 so that it disengages teeth 121 of drive cam 122. Cams 110 and 112 are aligned with respect to one another so that when shift lever 98 is positioned in either a right or left linear direction, the appropriate drive pawl to cause movement in that direction is allowed to engage teeth 121 on cam 122 and the other drive pawl is lifted to disengage drive cam 122.

Drive cam 122 rests on bearing 126 located on idler shaft 90, but is free to rotate independent of movement of the idler shaft 90. Attached to the drive cam 122 and also rotating freely around the idler shaft is gear 124 having teeth 125 extending radially around the periphery thereof a sufficient distance to come in engagement with suitable regularly spaced gear engaging means,

such as holes 127, in square switch blade 36. These holes 127 extend substantially the length of the switch blade so that the blade can be moved from the fully open to the fully closed position and back again.

Also attached to housing 10 are limit stops 140 and 141 which are contacted by drive lever 60 and limit the motion of the drive lever 60 and actuating lever 56 when actuating lever 56 is ratcheted. Stop 140 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 while stop 141 located 130 opposite to stop is shown in FIG. 3 with drive lever resting against it as a result of the bias of spring 70. In operation, the actuating lever 56 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 until drive lever 60 contacts stop 140. The actuating lever 56 is then allowed to be returned by spring 70 so that the drive lever 60 and actuating lever 56 are rotated clockwise until drive lever engages stop 141. It is not required that the arc of movement of the drive lever 60 and actuating lever 58 be limited to 130. Rather, other designs can be utilized having either a greater or lesser are of travel while providing for spring return of the drive and actuating levers to their original positions.

The actuating mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 operates to move switch blade 36 in either direction. The operator can perform this operation in two simple steps. First, indicating shift lever 98 is positioned so that the arrow on the end of shift lever 98 is pointing in the direction in which motion of the switch blade is desired. Secondly, actuating lever 56 is moved back and forth in a ratcheting motion, as just described, to move the switch blade 36 the desired distance.

As previously pointed out, rotation of indicating shift lever 98 attached to idler shaft 90 causes cams 110 and 112 to rotate by an equal angle. These cams are so designed and arranged that they leave only one of the oppositely directed drive pawls 62 and 64 in contact with teeth 121 on drive cam 122. Therefore, the position of indicating shift lever 98 determines which drive pawl will engage drive cam 122 and thus, controls the direction in which drive cam 122 will be rotated. For example, with indicating shift lever 98 pointing to the right, as shown in FIG. 1, directional cam 112 is so positioned to lift drive pawl 64 away from contact with drive cam 122. Since drive pawl 62 contains indentation 63, it is not contacted by directional. cam 112 and remains seated against teeth 121 on drive cam 122. Cam 110 is so shaped that when indicating shift lever 98 is in this position, it also does not contact drive pawl 62. Thus, when indicating arm 98 is pointing to the right only drive pawl 62 rests on drive cam 122.

Actuating lever 56 can then be moved back and forth in a ratcheting manner to move the switch blade to the right. When actuating arm 56 is moved counterclockwise, drive lever 60 connected by drive shaft 54 is also rotated counterclockwise. Thus, this motion will produce a counterclockwise motion of drive pawl 62 against teeth 121 on drive cam 122. Thus, the gear 124 which is attached to the drive cam 122 is also rotated in a counterclockwise direction and, as the teeth engage switch blade 36, the blade is moved in the same direction as the arrow on the end of the indicating shift lever 98.

The drive pawls 62 and 64 are designed so that they ride over the -teeth 121 without engagingthem when the drive pawls 62 and 64 are ratchet'ed back to their original position. The actuating lever 56 can again be moved to produce additional linear motion of the switch blade by back and'forth motion. Thus, by the ratcheting action of drive pawls 62 and 64, the switch blade can be moved in either direction.

To reverse the direction of the switch blade movement, the indicating shift lever 98 is moved 180 until it points to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. The extent of this motion is controlled by limit stops extending through cut out portion 114 in directional cam 110. With the indicating lever 98 pointing to the left, directional cam 110 now is moved to a position so that it lifts drive pawl 62 away from engagement with drive cam 122. Simultaneously, directional cam 112 moves to a position which allows drive pawl 64 to drop into contact with the drive cam 122. The ratcheting movement of the actuating lever 56 produces a clockwise movement of drive cam 122, (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3) a corresponding clockwise motion of gear 124 and a leftward movement of switch blade 36 (as viewed in FIG. 1).

A further feature of this design, is that when the indicating lever is positioned in the proper direction, the switch blade can be pushed or pulled in that direction independently of the actuating mechanism without an interference by that mechanism. Thus, with the indicating arm 98 directed to the right, as shown in FIG. 1, the switch blade 36 can be pulled or pushed in that direction. This would produce a counterclockwise movement of gear 124 and drive cam 122. However because of the construction of the drive pawl 62 and the teeth 121, the teeth 121 merely lift the drive pawl 62 up as they pass without imparting any motion to drive pawl 62 or to drive lever 60. Advantageously, the switch blade may contain suitable means for attaching a hook stick. The proper movement of the switch blade 36 can then be achieved by setting indicator lever 98 to the correct position, attaching a hook stick to the switch blade and pushing the blade in the direction indicated.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show suitable electrical contacts for use in this invention. FIG. 6 is a top view showing the contact arrangement between the switch blade and the housing when the blade is in the fully open position. FIG. 7 is a top view of the contact arrangement between opposing blades at a point very near the fully closed position.

Referring to FIG. 6,-square switch blade 36 passes through the housing 10, as described previously. The blade is shown in the fully open position so that limit stop 218 which passes through square switch blade 36 and extends outwardly therefrom comes into contact with housing 10. Accordingly, further movement to the right is restricted by the engagement of the limit stop 218 and housing 10.

Nipple contact 220 is attached to the square switch blade 36 at its distal end by bolts 224. Nipple contact 220 includes contact inserts 226 at its free end. Also attached to square switch blade 36 is spring contact 222 which is secured to switch blade 36 by bolts 224. As illustrated, when the square switch blade reaches its fully open position, spring contact 222 securely engages contact 212 attached to the housing 10. In this manner a secure electrical connection is made between the switch blade and the housing thereby preventing the generation of radio interference voltage in service.

Although it is not illustrated, mounted to the other end of housing 10 is a pair of spring contacts to engage the contacts on the other end of the switch blade 36 when switch blade 36 is in the fully closed position. Flat contacts can be bolted to either side of the blade to engage the spring contacts. With the blade in the fully closed position, these spring contacts will grip the flat contacts on the blade and secure the electrical connection between housing and blade. Also an appropriate limit stop would be provided at this end of the switch blade.

FIG. 7 shows a suitable contact arrangement for the electrical connection of two opposing switch blades. In this illustration switch balde 36 has been nearly fully extended to contact switch blade 254. Switch blade 254 contains suitable female contacts parts, such as spring clamps, 252 and 250 which are secured to the square switch blade 254 by bolts 256. As the two blades are moved together connecting parts of blades 36 and 254 come in contact as shown in the drawing. Spring contacts 252 first meet the tip of nipple contact 220 and then expand to ride over contact inserts 226. The contact inserts are of a highly conductive material such as a silver-alloy brazed to contact 220 to provide a good electrical contact.

The contact arrangements shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are only illustrative of one of many types of contacts which can be used. It should be apparent that many al ternative means can be used to form secure electrical connections between opposing switch blades.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the use of the present invention as a bypass switch for a circuit interrupter disconnect switch arrangement. Some of the elements in FIG. 8 are not shown in FIG. 9 in order to more clearly illustrate the present device. The apparatus is mounted on a base 300 including channel beams 302 and connected channel beams 304. End insulators 310 and center insulator 311 are attached to the base 300 and extend upwardly therefrom.

A circuit interrupter 312 is attached at one end to insulator 310 and at its other end to rotatable insulator 311. Disconnect switch blade 318 is connected to interrupter 312 by hinge contact 316. A jaw contact 314 is provided to engage disconnect switch blade 318. The purpose and operation of the circuit interrupter and disconnect switches are well known in the art. Normally a circuit exists through the circuit interrupter 312 and disconnect switch blade 318. Interrupter 312 is an electro-mechanical device which may be applied to perform switching and protection functions in a circuit in which intentional or routine interruption is not acceptable. In order to verify the correct mechanical operation of interrupter 312, and to exercise it, without interrupting the current in the circuit, it is necessary to provide means to by-pass interrupter 312.

As shown in the drawings, actuating mechanisms 330 and 332 in accordance with the present invention are attached to each of the end insulators 310. As shown with respect to actuating mechanism 330, the attachment to the support is made by bracket 346. Extending through each of the actuating mechanisms on the same linear axis are switch blades 334 and 336. These blades are provided respectively with male contact 340 and female contact 342 which connect to form a secure electrical connection. The connection is further secured by aligning indicating levers 348 and 350 toward one another. Accordingly, the actuating mechanisms resist any outward movement of the blades 334 and 336 which would separate the blades and break the connection.

To separate the blades and open the bypass circuit it is only necessary to move either one or both of the indicating levers 348 and 350 to point away from the connection. Then by ratcheting the appropriate actuating lever 352 or 354, the switch blades can be moved and the circuit opened. The circuit can be closed merely by shifting the indicating levers 348 and 350 in a direction toward the connection and then ratcheting the appropriate actuating levers until the blades are in contact.

FIG. 9 also illustrates, with respect to actuating mechanism 330, a method of securing the electrical connection between the switch blade 334 and the actuating mechanism when the blade is in the fully closed position. Attached to actuating mechanism 330 are electrically conductive spring clamps 344 which engage end contacts 345 mounted on blade 334. The contact formed by clamps 344 and contacts 345 form a secure electrical connection. This arrangement is also included on actuating mechanism 332.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the use of the present invention as a bus disconnect switch. As shown in these drawings the present invention provides a means for opening and closing the electrical circuit between bus 400 and bus 402. Bus 402 is attached to insulated support 406 by clamp 420. Attached to the end of bus 402 is a mounting bracket 410 which firmly attaches contact 412 to the bus in a stationary position. On the opposing end of bus 400 is attached actuating mechanism 401 in accordance with the present invention which is attached to bus 400 by mounting bracket 408. Movably inserted inside the actuating mechanism ia switch blade 436. At the end of this blade is contact 416 which is suitably designed to securely mate with contact 412 in the closed position. A contact such as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 or any other suitable contact may be used.

In FIG. 10 the bus disconnect is shown in the open position. An advantage of the present invention is that the indicating lever can be positioned in a direction away from opposing contact 412, and with the indicating lever in this position, it is impossible to accidentally extend switch blade 436 and complete the connection. The indicating lever 498 must be shifted to the opposite direction before the switch blade can be extended to complete the circuit. FIG. 10 also illustrates the use of spring contact 422 which is attached to contact 416. Spring contact 422 engages a contact on the housing of the actuating mechanism and secures the connection between the actuating mechanism and the switch blade to prevent the generation of radio interference voltage in service.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, if the bus 400 is large enough, the switch blade 436 can be retracted telescopically into the bus. However, if the existing customer bus is too small to receive the switch blade, the actuating mechanism can be aligned so that the blade extends parallel and outside the bus.

To close the circuit it is only necessary to change the direction of the indicating lever to the left and to ratchet the actuating lever 456 back and forth until contact 416 and 412 meet and are securely engaged. The completed electrical connection is illustrated in FIG. 11.

We claim:

1. A high voltage electrical switch arrangement comprising:

a remote electrical contact connected to a portion of an electical circuit;

an'electrically conductive switch blade for engaging said remote electrical contact and having gear engaging means substantially the length of said blade;

an actuating means connected to another portion of an electrical circuit for linearly moving said switch blade to engage and disengage the switch blade with the remote electrical contact to open and close the electrical circuit; said actuating means comprising:

an idler shaft;

a direction selecting lever connected to said idler shaft;

a hollow drive shaft mounted for rotation around said idler shaft;

an actuating lever mounted on said drive shaft;

a drive lever having a first and second end mounted at a first end to said drive shaft;

first and second oppositely directed drive pawls mounted on the second end of said drive lever;

a drive cam means for being engaged by said first and second drive pawls and being rotated by said first and second pawls in response to movement of said actuating lever;

a rotatably mounted gear connected to said drive cam, said gear having regularly spaced teeth to engage said engaging means to move said switch blade linearly in response to rotation of said gear and drive cam;

directional cam means connected to said idler shaft, said directional cam means for placing said first drive pawl into contact with said drive cam in response to positioning of said direction selecting lever in a first selected direction so that said switch blade will move in the first selected direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever and for placing said second drive pawl into contact with said drive cams in response to positioning of said direction selecting lever in a second selected direction so that said switch blade will move in the second selected direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever.

2. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said direction selecting lever contains visual indicating means to indicate the direction in which said switch blade will be moved in response to the movement of said actuating lever.

3. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch blade contains means for engagement by a hook stick whereby said blade can be moved manually, in the direction selected by said direction selecting lever.

4. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 further comprising first electrical contact means mounted on said actuating means to engage said switch blade when said switch blade is in engagement with said remote electrical contact to provide a reliable electrical connection and second contact means mounted on said switch blade for engaging said actuating mechanism when said switch blade is in the fully open position to prevent generation of radio interference voltages.

5. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever include hook stick engaging means to permit safe operation of said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever by a hook stick.

6. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said remote electrical contact is mounted on the end of a second linearly moving switch blade.

7. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first drive pawl engages said drive cam to prevent said switch blade from being moved in a direction opposite to the first selected direction when said direction selecting lever is positioned in the first selected direction, and said second drive pawl engages said drive cam to prevent said switch blade from being moved in a direction opposite to the second selected direction when said direction selecting lever is positioned in the second selected direction.

8. A high voltage electrical switch arrangement comprising:

a remote electrical contact connected to a portion of an electrical circuit;

an electrically conductive switch blade for engaging said remote electrical contact and having gear engaging means extending substantially the length of said blade;

an actuating mechanism for moving said switch blade linearly to open and close the electrical circuit, said actuating mechanism comprising:

a housing,

upper and lower rollers mounted within said housing to guide said switch blade linearly through said housing, 7

support means to suspend said housing and said switch blade in linear alignment with said remote electrical contact,

a hollow drive shaft mounted for rotation about said idler shaft and extending through a side of said housing;

actuating lever mounted on said drive shaft externally of said housing;

a drive lever attached at a first end to said drive shaft internally of said housing for pivoting in response to rotation of said drive shaft;

first and second oppositely directed drive pawls attached to a second end of said drive lever,

a drive cam having indentations engaged by said first and second drive pawls and being rotated by said first and second pawls when said actuating lever is pivoted;

a rotatably mounted gear connected to said drive cam, said gear having regularly spaced teeth to engage said' regularly spaced gear engaging means to move said switch blade linearly in response to rotation of said gear and drive cam;

an idler shaft concentric with and positioned internal, with respect to said hollow drive shaft and extending entirely through said housing;

a direction selecting lever mounted on said idler shaft;

first and second directional cams attached to said idler shaft inside said housing, said first directional cam shaped and aligned to place said first drive pawl into contact with said drive cam when said direction selecting lever is placed in a first selected direction so that said switch blade will be moved in the first direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever, said second directional cam shaped and aligned to place said second drive pawl into contact with said drive cam when said direction selecting lever is placed in a second selected direction so that said switch blade will be moved in the second direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever.

9. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said direction selecting lever includes visual indicating means to indicate the direction in which said switch blade will be moved in response to the movement of said actuating lever.

10. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said switch blade contains means for engagement by a hook stick whereby said switch blade can be moved manually in the direction selected by means mounted on said switch blade for engaging said housing when said switch blade is in the fully open position to prevent the generation of radio interference voltages.

12. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein both said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever include hook stick engaging means to permit safe operation of said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever by means of a hook stick.

13. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said remote electrical contact is mounted on the end of a second linearly moving switch tioned in the second selected direction. 

1. A high voltage electrical switch arrangement comprising: a remote electrical contact connected to a portion of an electical circuit; an electrically conductive switch blade for engaging said remote electrical contact and having gear engaging means substantially the length of said blade; an actuating means connected to another portion of an electrical circuit for linearly moving said switch blade to engage and disengage the switch blade with the remote electrical contact to open and close the electrical circuit; said actuating means comprising: an idler shaft; a direction selecting lever connected to said idler shaft; a hollow drive shaft mounted for rotation aRound said idler shaft; an actuating lever mounted on said drive shaft; a drive lever having a first and second end mounted at a first end to said drive shaft; first and second oppositely directed drive pawls mounted on the second end of said drive lever; a drive cam means for being engaged by said first and second drive pawls and being rotated by said first and second pawls in response to movement of said actuating lever; a rotatably mounted gear connected to said drive cam, said gear having regularly spaced teeth to engage said engaging means to move said switch blade linearly in response to rotation of said gear and drive cam; directional cam means connected to said idler shaft, said directional cam means for placing said first drive pawl into contact with said drive cam in response to positioning of said direction selecting lever in a first selected direction so that said switch blade will move in the first selected direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever and for placing said second drive pawl into contact with said drive cams in response to positioning of said direction selecting lever in a second selected direction so that said switch blade will move in the second selected direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever.
 2. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said direction selecting lever contains visual indicating means to indicate the direction in which said switch blade will be moved in response to the movement of said actuating lever.
 3. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch blade contains means for engagement by a hook stick whereby said blade can be moved manually, in the direction selected by said direction selecting lever.
 4. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 further comprising first electrical contact means mounted on said actuating means to engage said switch blade when said switch blade is in engagement with said remote electrical contact to provide a reliable electrical connection and second contact means mounted on said switch blade for engaging said actuating mechanism when said switch blade is in the fully open position to prevent generation of radio interference voltages.
 5. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever include hook stick engaging means to permit safe operation of said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever by a hook stick.
 6. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said remote electrical contact is mounted on the end of a second linearly moving switch blade.
 7. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first drive pawl engages said drive cam to prevent said switch blade from being moved in a direction opposite to the first selected direction when said direction selecting lever is positioned in the first selected direction, and said second drive pawl engages said drive cam to prevent said switch blade from being moved in a direction opposite to the second selected direction when said direction selecting lever is positioned in the second selected direction.
 8. A high voltage electrical switch arrangement comprising: a remote electrical contact connected to a portion of an electrical circuit; an electrically conductive switch blade for engaging said remote electrical contact and having gear engaging means extending substantially the length of said blade; an actuating mechanism for moving said switch blade linearly to open and close the electrical circuit, said actuating mechanism comprising: a housing, upper and lower rollers mounted within said housing to guide said switch blade linearly through said housing, support means to suspend said housing and said switch blade in linear alignment with said remote electrical contact, a hollow drive shaft mounted for rotation about said idler Shaft and extending through a side of said housing; actuating lever mounted on said drive shaft externally of said housing; a drive lever attached at a first end to said drive shaft internally of said housing for pivoting in response to rotation of said drive shaft; first and second oppositely directed drive pawls attached to a second end of said drive lever, a drive cam having indentations engaged by said first and second drive pawls and being rotated by said first and second pawls when said actuating lever is pivoted; a rotatably mounted gear connected to said drive cam, said gear having regularly spaced teeth to engage said regularly spaced gear engaging means to move said switch blade linearly in response to rotation of said gear and drive cam; an idler shaft concentric with and positioned internal, with respect to said hollow drive shaft and extending entirely through said housing; a direction selecting lever mounted on said idler shaft; first and second directional cams attached to said idler shaft inside said housing, said first directional cam shaped and aligned to place said first drive pawl into contact with said drive cam when said direction selecting lever is placed in a first selected direction so that said switch blade will be moved in the first direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever, said second directional cam shaped and aligned to place said second drive pawl into contact with said drive cam when said direction selecting lever is placed in a second selected direction so that said switch blade will be moved in the second direction in response to ratcheting movement of said actuating lever.
 9. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said direction selecting lever includes visual indicating means to indicate the direction in which said switch blade will be moved in response to the movement of said actuating lever.
 10. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said switch blade contains means for engagement by a hook stick whereby said switch blade can be moved manually in the direction selected by said direction selecting lever.
 11. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 further comprising first electrical contact means mounted on said housing to engage said switch blade when said switch blade is in the fully closed position to provide a reliable electrical connection between said switch blade and said housing, and second contact means mounted on said switch blade for engaging said housing when said switch blade is in the fully open position to prevent the generation of radio interference voltages.
 12. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein both said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever include hook stick engaging means to permit safe operation of said actuating lever and said direction selecting lever by means of a hook stick.
 13. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said remote electrical contact is mounted on the end of a second linearly moving switch blade.
 14. A high voltage switch arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first drive pawl engages said drive cam to prevent said switch blade from being moved in a direction opposite to the first selected direction when said direction selecting lever is positioned in the first selected direction, and said second drive pawl engages said drive cam to prevent said switch blade from being moved in a direction opposite to the second selected direction when said direction selecting lever is positioned in the second selected direction. 